Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling

ABSTRACT

In an apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling from blanks, the blanks are conducted longitudinally through the gap between two rolls having helical molding profiles extending in the same direction and approaching steadily the desired end profile of the molded body of rotation. At least one of the two rolls has imparted thereto a vibratory motion perpendicular to the roll axis and relative to the other roll, and this vibratory movement has a frequency of more than 50 cps, with the frequency being dependent on how great a reduction of the cross section is necessary. The amplitude of the vibratory movement is preferably up to about 2 mm.

United States Patent Balint 1 July 25,1972

[54] APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOLDED BODIES OF ROTATION BY ROLLING [72] Inventor: Lajos Balint, Feldkirch/Vorarlberg, Austria [73] Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft, Schaan Furstentum, Liechtenstein [221 Filed: Aug. 5, 1969 [2|] Appl. No.: 862,121

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 690,212, Dec. 13, 1967, Pat. No.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 16, 1966 Austria ..7 A 11630/66 [52] U.S. Cl ..425/366, 425/432, 425/447 [51] Int. Cl..... 829d 7/10 [58] Field ofSearch ..18/9, 10, 11

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 603,41 1 5/1898 Rutschman 18/9 X 2,275,535 3/1942 Magnani 18/9 X FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,360,246 3/ 1963 France l 8/1l Primary Examiner-.1. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Michael 0. Sutton Attorney-McGlew and Toren [5 7] ABSTRACT 1n an apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling from blanks, the blanks are conducted longitudinally through the gap between two rolls having helical molding profiles extending in the same direction and approaching steadily the desired end profile of the molded body of rotation. At least one of the two rolls has imparted thereto a vibratory motion perpendicular to the roll axis and relative to the other roll, and this vibratory movement has a frequency of more than 50 cps, with the frequency being dependent on how greata reduction of the cross section is necessary. The amplitude of the vibratory movement is preferably up to about 2 mm.

6 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 25 1912 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 2

INVENZOR. LAU'OS B n LINTN wwwz ATToR/UEYS PIATENTEDJULZS I972 I 3,579. 344

sum 3 or 3 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. Ln 3'05 BQLINT ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOLDED BODIES OF ROTATION BY ROLLING This is a division of application Ser. No. 690,212, filed Dec. 13, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,494,990, issued Feb. 10, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to produce molded bodies of rotation by'rolling from blanks, preferably of a cylindrical form, with the blanks being conducted longitudinally through the gap between two rolls having helical molding profiles extending in the same direction and approaching steadily the desired end profile of the molded body of rotation. However, when using this method to produce molded bodies of rotation by rolling from blanks, there results the formation of tensions in the blank causing the blank to break up along the axis which extends perpendicularly to the acting forces. For this reason, it has not been possible up to the present to produce molded bodies of rotation, where it was necessary to avoid breaking up of the blank, merely by rolling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the production of molded bodies of rotation by rolling from blanks and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus for such production in which breaking up of the blank along its axis during the rolling, is effectively prevented.

In accordance with the invention, at least one of the two rotating rolls between which the blank is fed longitudinally performs a vibratory movement perpendicular to the roll axis and with respect to the other roll or rolls. This solution to the problem is based on the finding that tensions in the blank can be influenced favorably, during rolling of the blank, if at least one of the rolls performs such a vibratory movement.

With this arrangement it is possible to produce, by molding, bodies of rotation which up to now have been produced mostly by forging, casting, or free-cutting machining of the blank. and to produce these bodies of rotation by molding in a particularly economical manner by rolling and without cutting. The great precision that can be attained with the invention renders superfluous any subsequent machining of the molded body of rotation.

While the invention is intended primarily for a cold forming operation, it also can be applied just as well to hot blanks. The blanks need not necessarily have a cylindrical cross section, but can have a cross section deviating from a cylindrical form. Thus, the blanks may have a substantially prismatic form, provided the edge angles are not too small. Thereby, a raw material or blank having the cross section of a regular octagon can be easily processed utilizing the method of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the rolls receives a vibratory movement having a frequency of more than 50 cps with respect to the other roll or rolls. The frequency of the vibratory movement to be used depends on how great a reduction of the cross section is necessary. The greater the required reduction of the cross section, the higher the frequency of the vibratory movement of at least one roll must be. The amplitude of the vibratory movement is preferably up to about 2 mm.

The apparatus for performing the invention includes at least two rolls 'driven in the same direction. The circumferences or peripheries of these rolls have worked therein helically a profiling for deforming the blank, with the form of the profiling steadily approaching the desired end profile of the molded body. Also, a vibratory drive is provided which acts on at least one roll. Nearly any type of vibration-producing drive can be used, such as electromagnetic or mechanical vibrators, for example.

The rolls may be cylindrical or may be conical, and preferably are so arranged that the gap therebetween narrows from the entrance side for the blank to the exit side for the blank. This can be attained either by the form of the rolls or by the arrangement of the rolls relative to each other. For exampie, the rolls can be so arranged that their axes intersect at an acute angle. It is also advantageous to make the positions of the rolls, relative to each other, variable.

If necessary, as for example when using only two rolls, the blank is held laterally by means of supporting elements extending into the roll gap. Furthermore, if necessary, each of the rolls can be rotated separately through suitable gearing.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved ap paratus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling from blank. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the blanks are conducted longitudinally through the gap between two or more rolls having helical molding profiles extending in the same direction and steadily approaching the desired end profile of the molded body of rotation, and in which at least one of the rolls is vibrated in a direction perpendicular to its axis.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which breaking up of the blanks along the axes thereof is avoided.

Yet, another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which, when using only two rolls, the blank is held laterally positioned by means of supporting elements extending into the gap between the rolls.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the precision attained makes superfluous any subsequent machining of the molded body of rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which is applicable to cold forming blanks as well as to hot forming blanks.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the blanks need not necessarilyhave a cylindrical cross section but may have a prismatic cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a pair of rolls used in the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the pair of rolls illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic plan view of apparatus embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, rolls 1 and 2, each having a circular cross section, are illustrated as oriented or positioned so that their longitudinal axes form an acute angle with each other. A blank 3, which is illustrated as being in the form of a cylindrical rod, is passed through the gap between rolls 1 and 2 in a direction longitudinally of the blank. When only two rolls are used, it is necessary to hold blank 3 in the gap between the rolls by the use of corresponding holding tools 4, best shown in FIG. 2 as projecting laterally into the gap between the rolls.

In accordance with the invention, rolls 1 and 2 rotate in the same direction, so that a rotary movement is also imparted to blank 3. By arranging the two rolls at an acute angle to each other, blank 3 is pulled into longitudinal gap between the rolls and thus moved longitudinally through this gap. If necessary, additional means can be used to promote the longitudinal movement of blank 3.

The profile or configuration on the rolls, which is to impart to the blank the desired form, is applied helically on the circumferences or peripheral surface of the rolls. The profiles extend in the same direction and steadily approach the desired end profile for the blank 3. The entire profile can be arranged on one pair of rolls, or on two pairs of rolls, particularly when the deformation is to be very extensive. The profiles can also be applied on a large diameter rolls as a helical surface having a small pitch, or profiles can constitute helical surfaces having a large pitch on oblong rolls of a smaller diameter. The particular embodiment selected depends upon, among other factors, the degree of deformation to which the blank is to be subjected,-the material to be deformed, and the accuracy to size of the desired end product.

The steady approach of the molding profilestoward each other imposes. on the blank a corresponding deformation. Thus, in the rolls shown in FIG. 1, threaded bolts 6 can be produced form the raw material blank 3. Part 5a of each profile reduces the diameter of the blank 3. Profiles 5b provide the blank with a thickened portion on which the profiles 5c roll in thread 6a of the bolt. Profiles 5d roll the projection 6b of the bolt which, depending on the setting of the rolls,

shaped blank 3.

A machine or apparatus for performing the the invention is illustrated schematicallyin FIG. 3, in which the profiled rolls are again designated as l and 2. Each roll has a longitudinally extending axle la or 2a, respectively, and the axles are journalled in bearings 23. The blank 3 is transported by a carriage 16 to move longitudinally of the longitudinal gap between the rolls 1 and 2. For the sake of clarity, the holding elements 4, shown in H6. 2, have been omitted from the illustrationof FIG. 3.

Rolls 1 and 2 are driven, in the same direction, by an electric motor 10. The drive is effected through a pulley 10a secured on the motor output shaft and connected by V-belts 11 with a transmission lla. Transmission 11a is connected, through transmission means including gearing 12 and transmission elements 19 and 20, respectively, with transmission wheels 21 and 22 each secured on a respective roll axle la or 2a. Through the medium of a hydraulic system 14, connected through means with roll 2, the latter can be shifted laterally or perpendicular to its axis, with respect to roll 1.

In accordance with the invention, a vibrator 25 is connected through suitable means 24, illustrated here as the machine frame, with the axle of roll I. it is only by vibratory movement of at least roll 1, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3, that it is possible to produced molded bodies of rotation, by rolling without troublesome breaking up of the blanks to be deformed by deforming rolls land 2.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is: I

1. Apparatus for producing molded bodies or rotationby rollingv blanks each having a cross section which is at least quasi-circular said apparatus comprising, in combination, at least a pair of profiled rollers arranged in laterally spaced relation to provide a longitudinally extending gap therebetween, each roller having molding profiles extending helically thereof and converging in the direction of the exit end of said gap to approach steadily the desired end profile of the body of rotation; means rotatably mounting said rollers; driving means rotating said rollers in the same direction to correspondingly rotate a blank fed longitudinally along said gap between said rollers toward the exit end of said gap for deforming the blank in accordance with the helically extending moldingprofiles on. said rollers; means continuously feeding a blank into the gap between said rollers; and means operatively associated with at least one roller and adapted to impart, to the latter, a vibratory movement perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

2. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, including supporting means extending into said gap and laterally confining the blanks.

3. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by I rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which the axes of rotation of said rollers intersect at an acute angle 4. Apparatus for producrng'molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said roller supporting means provide for adjustment of the gap spacing of said rollers.

5. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said rollers are substantially cylindrical.

6. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said rollers are substantially frusto-conical.

s =r a 

1. Apparatus for producing molded bodies or rotation by rolliNg blanks each having a cross section which is at least quasicircular , said apparatus comprising, in combination, at least a pair of profiled rollers arranged in laterally spaced relation to provide a longitudinally extending gap therebetween, each roller having molding profiles extending helically thereof and converging in the direction of the exit end of said gap to approach steadily the desired end profile of the body of rotation; means rotatably mounting said rollers; driving means rotating said rollers in the same direction to correspondingly rotate a blank fed longitudinally along said gap between said rollers toward the exit end of said gap for deforming the blank in accordance with the helically extending molding profiles on said rollers; means continuously feeding a blank into the gap between said rollers; and means operatively associated with at least one roller and adapted to impart, to the latter, a vibratory movement perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.
 2. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, including supporting means extending into said gap and laterally confining the blanks.
 3. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which the axes of rotation of said rollers intersect at an acute angle.
 4. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said roller supporting means provide for adjustment of the gap spacing of said rollers.
 5. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said rollers are substantially cylindrical.
 6. Apparatus for producing molded bodies of rotation by rolling blanks, as claimed in claim 1, in which said rollers are substantially frusto-conical. 